Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier and Minister for Tourism, 29 October 2024

Reviving Tasmania’s Heartlands

A blueprint identifying key tourism opportunities to drive future tourism growth in Tasmania’s Heartlands region will be delivered.

The Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future includes a $150,000 investment in Destination Southern Tasmania to work with strategic partners to help drive future growth in jobs, investment and visitor spend in Tasmania’s Heartlands.

Premier and Minister for Tourism, Jeremy Rockliff, said the project would focus on connecting visitors from the main touring routes to highlands and lakes in the region.

“The region, at the heart of Tasmania, offers rich colonial history, natural wonders and a developing food and beverage scene,” Premier Rockliff said.

“The Heartlands is the centre of Tasmania, the untapped neighbouring region to the midlands that so many visitors pass through but don’t always stop to experience.

“This investment is part of our 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy commitment to help regional tourism organisations capitalise on the things that make their region special, as well as responding to destination challenges and opportunities.”

Alex Heroys, CEO of Destination Southern Tasmania, said the organisation sees the area as a growth opportunity, as it is an important link between the south, north west and west coast of the state.

“The region has some of the most beautiful natural areas and reflects the essence of our ‘Come Down for Air’ brand, it is a place you can truly disconnect from a hectic urban lifestyle,” Mr Heroys said.

“We know there is huge potential to increase the tourism product in the Heartlands.

“This work will help us identify the profile of travellers to the Heartlands region to better inform what the visitor experience looks like and outline the location and focus of any potential future development.”

It is expected the project will be completed by June 2025.